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Northside ISD- A Year in Review

December 27, 2016

There are so many reasons why Northside ISD is a strong school district. In 2016, Northside hit an all-time high in enrollment, added more than 700 new teachers, opened two new schools, and more than 6,700 students received diplomas in 12 commencement ceremonies. The Class of 2016 earned more than $118 million in college scholarships and the District’s graduation rate reached an all-time high. For the Class of 2015, the most recent data available, the graduation rate was 94.3 percent.

Despite Northside’s size and continued growth, there are numerous opportunities provided for students to succeed in academics, athletics, fine arts, and many other extracurricular pursuits. It takes everyone – students, teachers, staff, parents, business partners, community members, and the Board of Trustees – to maintain the high standards and expectations that make NISD the wonderful district that it is.

The Board of Trustees named the elementary school that will open in 2017 – Kallison Elementary School. Also opening in 2017 is Northside’s 11th comprehensive high school Harlan High School. In 2016, the Harlan attendance zone was approved by the Board; future students selected the Hawks mascot and Columbia blue, black, and silver school colors; and Robert Harris was named the school’s first principal.

Colonies North ES celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016 and Fernandez and Leon Springs elementary school celebrated their 25th anniversaries. In addition, the library at Rhodes ES was named after longtime and retired principal Robert Lehr.

More than 7,800 iPads were issued to teachers, counselors, librarians, administrators, and other professional staff. The initiative provided an added digital tool to the established curriculum and was designed to enhance student learning.

In July, the Northside Swim Center hosted training camp for the United States Olympic Swim Team before they competed in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Though most of the camp was closed to the public, thousands of people attended a free Observation Day event to see eventual Rio gold medalists like Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky.

The Northside Sports Gym opened in time for basketball season with a Texas-sized pep rally dedication featuring hundreds of students. The new facility is located in the Farris Athletic Complex and more than 1,300 volleyball and basketball players from ten high schools will compete there annually. The District’s original gym, Paul Taylor Field House, was built in 1973 when there were only three high schools.

More than 1,000 students from 72 NISD elementary schools participated in the 20th Solar Car Races at Gus Stadium. The races are a culminating event for fourth and fifth graders who build cars in an afterschool science program.

The national nonprofit Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) recognized Northside for leading the path to eco-friendly propane fueled school buses. A ceremony was held at Passmore ES with special guest, former first daughter and PERC spokesperson Jenna Bush Hager who surprised teachers by presenting them with a $10,000 donation.

When a recording of the national anthem didn’t work at a volleyball game, Holmes HS volleyball player Marina Garcia stepped up to the microphone. Cell phone video of her impromptu performance went viral garnering national news attention and opportunities for Garcia to perform at events across San Antonio.

Two Northside ISD PTAs were named 2016-18 National PTA Schools of Excellence. Folks Middle School and Ellison Elementary School were among 173 schools from across the country to receive the special designation.

Northside continued to support the Go Public campaign which raises awareness of the wonderful things happening in Bexar County public schools.

Northside

Northside ISD complies with federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, age, gender, sex, or disability. To request access to (or notify NISD regarding) online information or functionality that is not accessible, contact webmaster@nisd.net or call the communications department at (210) 397-8550. Any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability may file a grievance by contacting Anna Draker at (210) 397-8741.